Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - INDG 322 BLS1

Special Topics in Indigenous Studies

Critical Indigenous Fish Philosophy

Class Number: 2708

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Will vary according to the topic.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Variable units: 3, 4, 5.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores the emerging field of ‘Critical Indigenous Fish Philosophy’, which is a field of work that examines what fish have to teach us about survival on this planet. Dr. Leroy Little Bear urges us to 'ask the fish what scientific formulae they've discovered', since they have survived 510 million years on the planet. We will explore these fishy scientific formulae from a diversity of viewpoints.

Drawing on materials from Critical Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Science and Technology Studies, geography, physics, ecology, decolonizing movements, and other approaches, this course explores what fish have to teach us about law, governance, philosophy, art, and existence.

• Comparative analysis of information about fish across diverse knowledge systems
• Knowledge mobilization of this information in dynamic ways (narrative, art, policy-oriented materials) to convey the complexity of fish life and worlds
• Explore diverse governance systems to better understand what is required to protect fish habitats and fish communities
• Appreciation for the diversity of global Indigenous and local practices and approaches employed to protect fish
• In honouring the territories this class takes place in, a significant amount of the material covered draws from Indigenous nations on the West Coast, as well as across the country

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

- identify and learn from diverse Indigenous fish knowledges within their wholistic paradigms
- compare and contrast Indigenous and western science approaches to fish research and policy
- understand the role that Indigenous governance and legal orders play in protecting fish habitats and communities
- learn about and deploy knowledge about distinct fish sensory systems and how these are impacted by current enviromental realities
- gain an appreciation for the diversity of fish across the planet
- gain an appreciation for the diversity and dynamism of Indigenous sciences, legal orders, and governance systems that relate to fish and environmental relations
- practice dynamic ways of communicating your knowledge about fish, water, and human-environmental relations (written, audio, visual)

Grading

  • weekly quizzes 30%
  • oral midterm discussing three key readings 20%
  • Fish sensory/body system portfolio 30%
  • Annotated Bibliography 20%

NOTES:

This class is an AI-free zone. The deleterious impacts that AI is having on freshwater watersheds -- including in Indigenous territories in Canada -- are endangering already stressed fish populations across the continent. see: https://thenarwhal.ca/ai-data-centres-canada/

The work undertaken in this course entails spending time learning about fish through a variety of lenses, and will require reading all of the readings each week, and coming prepared to discuss these relationships and phenomena in class. 

You do not need to have a science background to join the course, but we will be reading scientific papers alongside other materials.

REQUIREMENTS:

This course is fully online. Students are required to attend online synchronous class and contribute asynchronously.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required textbook. However, there will be weekly readings posted to Canvas (articles, websites, YouTube videos, etc.)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Recommended readings will be uploaded to Canvas. 

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

NOTE re AI
Please note that submissions that employ generative AI tools in this course (for idea generation or other purposes) are not accepted by the Department. Your grade in this course is meant to reflect your personal engagement with course materials. If you are ever unsure about your instructor's stance on generative AI, please be sure to ask before submitting work using these tools: "If you are unsure, you must not assume that using generative AI is permitted." - SFU Academic Integrity
Those who employ these tools in their course submissions may face disciplinary action in accordance with SFU's academic integrity policies. https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/academic-integrity/using-generative-ai.html

COPYRIGHT
Materials included in this course, unless otherwise stated, have been created by the Instructor, and reproducing or using this material outside of this course is not permitted unless written consent has been provided by the owner of this material. The course-based Canvas page and its related resources are maintained and developed by the Instructor for the use of the students registered to take this course. Course materials such as PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, the lecture itself and exams are all protected by copyright. Recording, copying or sharing these materials without permission may be a violation of Canadian copyright law and SFU policies. What does this mean? It means that you are legally not permitted to circulate the course materials to any other entity without explicit permission from the course author.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.